1954 sorority pledge initiated in 2012

Homecoming at the University of Southern Mississippi is a week filled with tradition. The women of Phi Mu sorority fulfilled their promise of upholding tradition and sisterhood when initiating a 1954 pledge sister into their chapter during Homecoming this year.

Dell Mechatto Martin of Belzoni, Miss., who is often called Lady Dell by friends and family, was officially initiated into the Alpha Omicron chapter of the Phi Mu sisterhood at Southern Miss.

Lady Dell became a Phi Mu pledge in 1954 but had to leave the university before initiation because her grandparents became ill and other family obligations, leaving her unable to become an official member of Phi Mu. After 58 years, Martin returned to the Southern Miss campus during Homecoming to be officially initiated and welcomed into the Phi Mu sisterhood.

The journey to get Martin initiated began at the 2009 Homecoming game.

Martin met Phi Mu alumna Carr Murphy Brown and instantly felt a connection. Martin said the two became close friends, and that’s when Brown began the journey of contacting Phi Mu nationals to get Martin initiated into the chapter as an alumna initiate of 2012.

Abby Schlosser, Phi Mu’s current ritual chair and senior speech pathology major, helped plan and run the initiation of Lady Dell Martin and said it was one of the sweetest experiences she has had as a Phi Mu thus far.

“The initiation was beautiful; there was literally not a dry eye in the room from start to finish,” Schlosser said. “It was so touching to see how happy her friends from her original pledge class were to witness her long-awaited initiation.”

Cally Biagini, current chapter president and senior marketing major, said the ceremony was incredible to witness.

“After the initiation, we had a reception at the house for her. Lady Dell received all sorts of Phi Mu gifts and was shown true Phi Mu love,” Biagini said. “Being part of Lady Dell’s initiation will always be one of my favorite memories. Even after 58 years, Lady Dell still embodies everything it means to be a Phi Mu. Her story is a sweet reminder of how special the bond of Phi Mu truly is, and our chapter was honored to finally welcome Lady Dell into our sisterhood.”

Lady Dell’s words after her initiation to her Phi Mu sisters were simply this: “Thank you for helping my dreams come true. Thank you.”